OBDII Dongle/Carista
Discussion
Hi all,
Can anyone recommend an OBDII dongle/app for use on predominantly on a 2011 VW Passat CC?
Background is this. I’m looking for something I can give my mother to use to basic fault code scanning on her car (details above). I’m a VCDS user, but we live 250miles apart. She doesn’t own a laptop at the moment, however she does have a smartphone and both WiFi and 4G data plan.
This week she had a minor bump, during which the engine management light triggered. TPMS system also stopped working. The car has gone for repair already (via ins co) but it would have been nice to find out what the fault code before it went away. Car was drivable and didn’t appear to be leaking any vital fluids etc but it was difficult for me to advise her to continue driving or not based solely on pictures of the damage!
I’ve seen Carista. Looks reasonable value for ~£15 dongle and apparently free fault code scanning.
Can anyone recommend anything for my use case? Or Carista users advise their experience?
Cheers
Chris
Can anyone recommend an OBDII dongle/app for use on predominantly on a 2011 VW Passat CC?
Background is this. I’m looking for something I can give my mother to use to basic fault code scanning on her car (details above). I’m a VCDS user, but we live 250miles apart. She doesn’t own a laptop at the moment, however she does have a smartphone and both WiFi and 4G data plan.
This week she had a minor bump, during which the engine management light triggered. TPMS system also stopped working. The car has gone for repair already (via ins co) but it would have been nice to find out what the fault code before it went away. Car was drivable and didn’t appear to be leaking any vital fluids etc but it was difficult for me to advise her to continue driving or not based solely on pictures of the damage!
I’ve seen Carista. Looks reasonable value for ~£15 dongle and apparently free fault code scanning.
Can anyone recommend anything for my use case? Or Carista users advise their experience?
Cheers
Chris
The ELM BlueTooth OBD plugs with the Torque Lite App work for Androids, iPhones need the Wifi version, as far as I know.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Engine-Management-Diagnos...
VW also have their 'DataPlug' and the VW Connect App for Android. Dataplug was free for a while last year but is now about £40. They are on Ebay for £10 upwards.
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/volkswagen-con...
DataPlug does some diagnostics and will 'diagnose' dashboard lights and faults, a nominated dealer will call to explain the light or warning. It will also connect to nominated VW dealers for service, and/or VW Assistance.
Out of the two choices, Elm/Torque is better for showing fault codes. VW Connect with a DataPlug better for basic non-techie 'monitoring' of the car's health, including battery voltage, and fuel consumption.
A DataPlug might be useful for Mum, as it's unobtrusive once installed and the app/plug is monitoring the car. It requires Bluetooth on, the app loaded, and a data-plan.
DataPlug can be left plugged in permanently, but requires 'registration' with VW by email to use it.
DataPlug:
https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/free-vol...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Engine-Management-Diagnos...
VW also have their 'DataPlug' and the VW Connect App for Android. Dataplug was free for a while last year but is now about £40. They are on Ebay for £10 upwards.
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/volkswagen-con...
DataPlug does some diagnostics and will 'diagnose' dashboard lights and faults, a nominated dealer will call to explain the light or warning. It will also connect to nominated VW dealers for service, and/or VW Assistance.
Out of the two choices, Elm/Torque is better for showing fault codes. VW Connect with a DataPlug better for basic non-techie 'monitoring' of the car's health, including battery voltage, and fuel consumption.
A DataPlug might be useful for Mum, as it's unobtrusive once installed and the app/plug is monitoring the car. It requires Bluetooth on, the app loaded, and a data-plan.
DataPlug can be left plugged in permanently, but requires 'registration' with VW by email to use it.
DataPlug:
https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/free-vol...
Edited by Slushbox on Sunday 26th May 07:01
I use one of these : https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
And the dashcmd app on an iPhone.
Not as good as vcds (which I have also), but for basic error codes and resets on my other cars, it works just fine.
And the dashcmd app on an iPhone.
Not as good as vcds (which I have also), but for basic error codes and resets on my other cars, it works just fine.
That’s a great help. Definitely seems there are better alternatives than the one I first came up with!
I think maybe the Torque app with the ELM dongle seems the best way forward. Mum uses an Android which rules out the dashcmd.
She might like the VW Connect thing, as she does use her car for business and it might help her to keep track of mileage etc. I don’t know how she does this currently (but I reckon it’s the old pen and paper!).
Many thanks all of you!
I think maybe the Torque app with the ELM dongle seems the best way forward. Mum uses an Android which rules out the dashcmd.
She might like the VW Connect thing, as she does use her car for business and it might help her to keep track of mileage etc. I don’t know how she does this currently (but I reckon it’s the old pen and paper!).
Many thanks all of you!
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